A Communication Skills Program for College Students: An Administrative Perspective.

Williams, Audrey Y.; Davis, William M.

The SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge) Program at the City University of New York (CUNY) was designed to provide access to any senior college in the CUNY structure for a population that had previously been excluded. To be eligible for participation in the program, the student must be a resident of New York City and reside in one of the designated poverty areas, must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, and must not have attended college previously unless a veteran. Since these students are in need of remedial and supportive services, the SEEK Program was designed with three components to serve those needs: remedial and supportive instructional services, counseling services, and financial assistance. Because of the institution of the SEEK Program and the Open Admission Policy, Bernard M. Baruch College of CUNY established the Department of Compensatory Programs in 1970. The department is responsible for providing remedial and supportive instructional services to any student who, by virtue of a a placement examination, requires these services to successfully meet degree requirements for graduation. The communications skills program within the Department of Compensatory Programs is described. (TO)